Low Carb diet and cancer

ernie_d · Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2004 4:42 pm Post subject: Low Carb diet and cancer

Is there any evidence that a low carb, high protein (Atkins) diet causes or promotes growth of cancer?

I had prostatectomy in August of 2004. 3 months later, PSA is undetectable. I am trying to follow an 'anti cancer lifestyle' of regular exercise, supplements, and good diet.

Problem is that I am type II diabetic, and obese. Low carb diet is only thing so far that controls blood sugar and helps me lose weight. My doctor says the low carb diet is OK for me, she does a blood panel regularly and says lipids etc are good on low carb diet. She is very concerned about weight, and possible heart problems. Until cancer diagnosis and operation -- when I fell off the diet -- I was losing weight regularly.

Thanks in advance,
Ernie
_________________
Prostate cancer
prostatectomy 2004
PSA undetectable afterwards

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

While there is no evidence that low carb diets are linked to cancer, the best thing for you from this point are exactly what you are doing. Exercise, weight loss and a decent diet are the way to go.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

ernie_d · Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2004 12:27 am Post subject: Re: Low Carb diet and cancer

Thanks Leonardo.

In the last six months I've met more people suffering with cancer, dying with cancer, and enduring cancer in a loved one -- than I believed possible.

It feels like an epidemic of cancer.

Ernie
_________________
Prostate cancer
prostatectomy 2004
PSA undetectable afterwards

Simeon · New User Joined: 23 Dec 2004 Posts: 1

[quote="ernie_d"]Is there any evidence that a low carb, high protein (Atkins) diet causes or promotes growth of cancer?
[/quote]

Interesting, because different sources have different opinions. I am not a doctor, so don't take my word for it.

According to some, cancer cells use carbohydrates for fuel. They advocate a low carb diet such as Atkins.

But most of the medical establishment seems to be wary of this diet, see http://www.diagnose-me.com/cond/C656860.html

My Mum has recently contracted cancer. After reading some of this stuff, I figure just stick to a regular, healthy diet, one with low glycemic index foods, low on sugar and starch, but not going for the Atkins style high fat/high protein.

There are even sources who claim cancer is somehow related to protein metabolism - see Kelley http://www.drkelley.com/ - I haven't even read this - the article seems shoddy to me. But just to show that there are opinions on every side, I guess.

If you replace as much of your white bread, starchy foods, deep fried foods, sugary foods with wholegrain foods, and veg as you can, I think this is the best you can do. The extra fibre helps you eliminate toxins, the extra vitamins and other nutrients keep your immune system healthy.

I also have found a lot of literature about omega3 vs omega6 fatty acids - apparently western diets have way to many omega6 and not enough omega3. Read up on this yourself, basically read up about what fats are bad for you and avoid them, and aim to get enough of the good ones like virgin olive oil and fish oil. Fats that are heated too much in cooking (hydrogenated) generate cancer, and the temperature varies from one fat to another. Aim to avoid processed foods, since these usually contain such fats. Home style cooking is better.

There are some foods that are known to have anticancer properties, such as cherries, shiitake mushrooms etc. Again, I don't know much, read about these yourself. Try www.google.com and look for balanced information.

Simeon

ConcernedSon · Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2005 9:44 pm Post subject: Re: Low Carb diet and cancer

I can't say definitively the connection between fat/carbs/protein and cancer, but one thing I have noticed from my studies into nutrition is that most nutrition sources recommend natural food. That is, the closer to nature the better; foods with less processing and richer earth sources. So given if the choice was between a “mac & cheese” meal and a good rice meal you would take the one Mother Nature blessed.

One nutrition author (Elson Haas) I have found with a great deal of experience and common sense has the following article on Cancer and Nutrition. I’m not saying you should or shouldn’t follow the advice; I’m just posting for those who might be interested in the read.
http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?id=1658

Regards,

Mike
Blessing to you all

	Cancer Forums Forum Index -> Cancer Prevention	All times are GMT - 5 Hours
Page 1 of 1

A website for discussions about any type of cancer, including lung cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, prostate cancer, laryngeal cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma and others